XIII. Silence, You’ve Lost Me

(End Of Act I)

“Dusk! Wake up!”

Jolting upwards from my slumber, my eyelids propelled upwards and I breathed heavily, clutching my chest with a hoof. I turned towards the source of the voice, and I found Eclipse with her hooves on my shoulder shaking me awake. She stopped when she saw me sit up and the mare rubbed her eyes with a fetlock, yawning loudly. Taking the time to adjust to being abruptly awoken, I mimicked her and brushed the cobwebs out of my eyes, allowing myself to see my surroundings. Underneath of my body was a soft, brown couch and draped over my body was a small, grey blanket that warmed me. I guess I was right, then. Fell asleep on the couch.

“It's almost time for the party, Dusk.” Eclipse mentioned before she yawned once again, stretching her hooves and wings as she stood up from the couch. Blinking away the lingering sleepiness, I threw the blanket off of me and placed my hooves on the floor, being rewarded with a loud clip-clop for my four limbs. Spreading my wings, I folded them and sighed as an audible cracking noise resounded. After stretching, I realized that my mouth is extremely dry and I have a splitting headache. Pressing a hoof into my temple, I rubbed it as I groaned. Eclipse walked away into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, handing it to me. Graciously accepting the gift, I swallowed the crisp, refreshing water and basked in the feeling as it glided down my throat.

Twisting my head around to scan my surroundings, I noticed that no one else was present and that Eclipse and I were the only ponies in the room. Returning my gaze to Eclipse, I swallowed the remaining water before speaking. “Where is everypony else?” I inquired as she folded the blanket I chucked off of myself, patiently weaving it into a neat square. She placed it atop the arm rest on the couch and jerked her head towards the door. “Better yet, what time is it?” Searching for any sign of a clock, I was rewarded with nothing. I guess the concept of time is insignificant in the eyes of Twilight. That or she has a hatred for keeping time.

“They already went to meet up with Pinkie for the party. As for the time…?” She did the same thing I did and when she found nothing, she shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. “Well, it must be close if they already left… Do you still wanna’ go…? You don't have to, I can stay here with you-” I cut her off by waving my hoof at her as I approached the open window, appreciating the small breeze that managed to find its way inside. It brushed through coat and mane, cooling me down from the heat I accumulated from wearing that blanket for hours on end. The Sun was nearing the horizon, the sky turning from a bright blue to a dark orange.

“Nah… It's fine. Like you said, I should see if my brother is there.” I started slowly as I angled my head around to see out the window better, catching glimpses of a myriad of ponies heading towards the source of faint music that began to play. To be honest, I’m dreading the party. I’m dreading the fact that there's a possibility that my brother, whom I betrayed, can be there and I have to talk to him. Bury the hatchet, so to speak. “Besides, I don't want to ruin your night. Don't mind my buzz-killing self.” I tittered as I turned away from the window and came face-to-face with Eclipse, who was wearing a small smile on her pretty-muzzle.

“Mmm, you're not a buzz-kill. You're just stubborn.” She replied as she pressed her lips against mine. Her lips felt like silk and if I were in a better mood, I would have enjoyed it. Tonight… I wasn't feeling it, and the pegasus must’ve picked up on that fact. She removed her lips from my own and looked into my eyes with her two gorgeous cyan orbs. “What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?” I sighed as she backed away from me, allowing me to rub my face with my hoof. What am I even going to say to her? Oh, I had a dream where you cheated on me with Forgetful, I talked with Celestia in my dreams, annnndddd I read your super-secret journal! Better start off slow, I suppose. There's no possible way I can fuck this up, right?

“Y-You… You would tell me if something… Bad, happened to you, right?” I muttered to her, watching as her eyes widened for a split-second before she regained her composure. She must think I know, otherwise she wouldn't have that kind of reaction. Celestia, this is so fucking hard! Why can't I just go back to being an innocent little colt, full of life and happiness? Things were so much easier back then.

“Y-Yeeeaah… Why?” She inquired as I faced the staircase, inhaling a large gust of air as I mulled over my thoughts. What do I say now? I got her started, and now unfortunately, I have to finish it. Or I can just be the kind of pony that goes, Oh nothing, just wondering. Well, too bad I’m not that kind of pony. I am a stubborn pony and proud.

“Then why didn't you tell me about your love for Forgetful? Or that he tried to rape you?” I turned back to her with furrowed eyebrows and a determined glint in my eyes. Her ears immediately smacked against her head as she suddenly found the floor interesting. Congratulations, Dusk. You've been promoted from a B-plus idiot to an A-plus idiot! May the odds forever be in your favor! Oh shut it, being quiet and not saying a word isn't going to solve a damn thing.

Eclipse sighed loudly as she looked up at me finally, her ears returning to their original position. Oh, and she looks pissed. “What does it matter if I love you now? It's in the past, Dusk!” She screamed as she stomped away from me, seething in the middle of the room as I remained silent, allowing her to continue. “See, that's the thing with you! You just have to go digging into matters of the past, when it doesn't even matter anymore! We're living in the present! Can you get that through your. Thick. Fucking. Skull?!” She punctuated each word with a tap on her head, turning towards me with her head cocked to the side. I stared at her as she began breathing heavily through her nostrils.

“What is wrong with you?! You… Are just incapable of leaving things alone! So what? It never happened again, and it’s not going to! Fuck Forgetful, he’s a manipulative ass! And you, are a stubborn, nostalgic, bitter asshole!” Her wings were now at full mast, spit flying from her maw as she shouted at me from across the room. A ray of sunlight beamed through the open window behind me, bathing me in its warm glow as silence now encompassed the room. It was so silent you could hear a pin drop, and mustering up the willpower, I broke the silence.

“Is that how you feel… Truly? You know what you can do? You can fuck right off, you bloody prick! How do I know if you didn't fuck Forgetful while I was asleep, huh?! Or how ‘bout you wanting foals during a fucking mission! Are you stupid?! Calling me stubborn, hmph… You got some real fucking nerve.” I responded by lashing out at her, jabbing a hoof in her direction. Eclipse raised her eyebrows as she scoffed, stepping towards me.

“Excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you are?! Maybe I wanted to think ahead, you think of that, idiot?! This mission will be done by the time I have this foal, if I’m even pregnant… Knowing you, your sperm is probably as fucked up as you are.” She chuckled bitterly, standing a few feet away from me. Closing my eyes tightly, I let a breath of air escape from my mouth as I flared my nostrils, desperately attempting to keep my growing temper at bay. There's something about this mare, that just… Pisses me off.

“Fuck you. I am dealing with a lot right now,” And you will be if you continue this conversation. “And you freaking the fuck out over nothing is not fucking helping! So why don't you fuck right off and leave me the fuck alone, you dirty. Skanky. Cunt.” So much for not losing your temper. Since when did I begin talking to myself in my mind? Nevermind that, just focus on the crazy bitch in front of you.

Eclipse extended her wing and slapped me across the face with it as hard as she could, and I stumbled back as a large gash formed across the length of my forehead. Large streams of blood began to cascade down my face as Eclipse gasped, stepping towards me with her hoof outstretched. I held a hoof up as I reached up and wiped away the blood, but to no prevail, it just kept flowing. Lowering my hoof, I stared at the matted, red fur on my fetlock as blood started to drip from my face onto the floor, gathering into a small puddle. Eclipse flew upstairs quickly, leaving me alone to try and clean myself up for some party I don't even want to attend.

Celestia… How can so much happen in one day? So much shit, so much has transpired, in the span of a single day. The changeling invasion took place in a day, make that two, but I just… Things used to be so simple. Wake up, brush teeth, eat breakfast, go to work, go home, eat dinner, brush teeth, and go to sleep. It was monotonous, but it was simple and organized, a-and so just… Ugh, maybe Celestia and Eclipse are right. I strive to live life by my past, and I can't live for the now, for tomorrow. Is this is how I am going to live the rest of my life? Endlessly fretting about the past, living by it, trying to make the present and future like the past as much as I can? Sweet Luna, things… No, I’m living in the present, the past is gone, over with. Done.

Sitting down on my haunches, I pressed my hoof on the gash and hissed through my gritted teeth at the sharp pain spreading through my head, but ignored it as the blood flow continued. The dark crimson liquid trickled down my face’ covering my cheeks in blood and wetting my fur with the warm fluid. The sound wings beating echoed in the library and Eclipse flew down the flight of stairs, a small white box in her hooves as she landed in front of me. Before I could say anything, she placed the box down and held up a hoof. “Shut up and stay still.” I complied with her request willingly as she clicked the box open and started digging through the various items lying inside.

She pulled out a white rag, which appeared more like a napkin or tissue, and gripped it tightly as she removed my hoof from the gash. She dabbed the wound with the clean cloth and I tapped my hoof on the ground, the pain surging through the entirety of my head. Wiping away the collected blood to the best of her ability, she threw the dirty rag away and quickly pulled out disinfectant and another cloth, dousing one side of it with the liquid. “This will sting a little.” Yeah sure, that's what ponies say before they inflict excruciating pain on you. Preparing myself for the agonizing stinging sensation, I bit my tongue painfully to distract myself as she brought it up to my forehead, swiftly pressed into the length of it. I hissed as I shut my eyes tightly, drawing blood from my tongue as I bit deeper into it.

Satisfied with her work, Eclipse placed the bottle aside and chucked the rag to join its counterpart. “Look… I… Ugh, I’m sorry. It was wrong of me and I shouldn't have hit you,” Rummaging through the contents of the first-aid-kit, she grabbed a large-sized gauze pad and unwrapped it, placing it on the injury. “Hold that… I just freaked out, and I guess I just… Lost control. It was wrong of me, and I just… I love you, you know that, right?” Looking around, she found a big cloth, and she rolled it up until it was shaped like a roll. Wrapping it around my head, it held the gauze pad in place and she tied it tightly at the back of my neck. The make-shift bandana thing-y held my hair up slightly, but I was happy that the wound was cleaned up. “Lemme’ get a wet cloth and I clean up the blood on your face, alright?” My mouth remained silent, and she sighed before she flew off to the kitchen, in search of another rag.

Soon enough, the mare returned with a wet cloth, water dripping onto the floor from the soaked material. Sitting down in front of me, she swiped my face with it and I felt a shiver go down my spine at the cold contact. Pulling the rag away from me, I saw the blood on the rag and she looked at it too before she sighed, throwing it to the side. It landed with a damp thud and silence engulfed the room for a few minutes. Words came to mind, but my muzzle remained shut. Eclipse apparently had the willpower to talk, though. “The party is surely about to start… Why don't we get going?” She gazed up at me hopefully, and instead of answering her, I stood up to my full height, easily towering over her. Staring her down for a few seconds, I traipsed over to the front door and swung it open, allowing the cool breeze to coax my body.

Not waiting for Eclipse to catch up, I started walking slowly, my mind blank and my emotions ceased. Calm. Neutral. Silent. The silent treatment has never worked and you know it. It leaves more problems than it solves. Just talk to her you stupid fucking idiot. Oh, and also, here's a tip. Maybe you shouldn't go digging through ponies’ journals! It was a dream. Point still stands. Dream or not, you still invaded her privacy and dug up the past. How would you like it if someone continually mentioned Hall and her tribe to you? Fine, you have a point… Just fuck off. I don't need to start arguing to myself in my mind, it's crowded enough as it is. I’m not crazy, I’m just a little stressed out. Denial. You are unstable, and you are going to snap. For real. Not like the dream with Forgetful. Just keep it together and get through the day.

Think of it this way. There is a possibility of Eclipse being pregnant. Now, it usually takes eight to seven weeks to find it, give or take. Plus, aren't you waiting for Cheesecake and your little marefriend Moth? Moth isn't my marefriend. I have no romantic feelings for her. She's just my best friend. And Celestia doesn't raise the fucking Sun. Whatever, you changed the topic. Anyways, you need to wait for them and to find out if Eclipse is pregnant, so… Why don't you just settle down in Ponyville for a little while? We are on a mission and Luna is missing! What, are we just supposed to leave her by herself and just sit around and do nothing? Celestia is counting on us. Luna can fucking handle herself. Besides, you heard Celestia. Luna left of her own accord and she will return whenever she's free. This mission is fucking pointless anyway, so what's the point in doing anything?

Princess Celestia stated that we are to travel to the Badlands and assassinate Supreme Overlord Nefastus until she has more intel on Princess Luna’s location. Oh, so it's a suicide mission then? Listen here, you and everypony in Moonlight XIII are going to get yourselves killed if you even try to kill her. She is much stronger than almost everyone, even Luna. You dealt with Discord. You dealt with Chrysalis. You dealt with Sombra. But, you cannot deal with Nefastus. She is very… Wrong. Has powers that would make you question things. She would not hesitate to change how you view things and she would not hesitate to kill you when she has control over you. So like the White Tail then? Yeah, sure. Except you what you will see and hear will be much, much worse.

“Dusk? You alright?” I jumped when Eclipse rocked my shoulder, and I turned to look at her. She was behind me and I noticed that we were in front of Sugarcube Corner. The muffled sound of music and chatter resounded from the gingerbread-looking building, and the white pegasus stepped in front of me. “Seriously, are you alright? You been standing here staring ahead for five minutes, muttering to yourself.” A worried glint was in her cyan orbs and I nodded hesitantly, patting her on the shoulder as I slowly extended a hoof to take a step forward, feeling the street underneath me transform into a wooden step. Sighing, I shot a glance at my marefriend before I pushed open the doors, entering the bakery and ongoing party.

“Dusk! You made it! Here; have a creamy, complementary, confectionary! Enjoy!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she shoved a cupcake into my hoof, hopping off to talk to a group of ponies. Looking at the cupcake, I threw it in the nearby trashcan before I walked around, searching for a chair so I can think. Pushing my way through the crowd of ponies, I finally found salvation in the form of a stool that's in the corner and out of the way. Sighing in relief, I plopped down on it and scanned the mass of ponies, two questions in my mind; Where is my brother, and what do I do when I find him? Such a shame that your usual apology won't work. ‘Oh, I am truly sorry for fucking your fiancé behind your back while you're at work. That was my bad!’. Fuck off, you're not helping.

Maybe you should have thought about what would happen before you decided to stick your dick in your brother's wife-to-be. What, did you think he wouldn't find out? Did you think you would fuck her and get off scot-free, no problems to be found? Okay, I get it! I made a fucking mistake, everypony does! At least I’m making a fucking effort to fix the damn problem instead of letting it rot. Yeah, see, this problem has been boiling under the Sun for a while now and now you think it's time to scrape it off the curb when it's damn near dust? You can't just run from your problems, leave your own brother to scavenge from his crumbling life, and then just choose to stop by and say sorry! It's now how it fucking works! Fine. I get it. But, you are nothing but thoughts in the corner of my mind. So you can fuck right off.

You will regret this. It's going to bite you in the ass. I ignored the gnawing thoughts as I twisted my head around in a myriad of angles to see if I can spot my brother, but all I got in return was a few winks from a stallion and a couple mares. Groaning, I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. Celestia please, I’m making an effort. I just need him to meet me halfway. Hah! Sitting on your ass is considered making an effort these days? Kill me now. Shut up. No one asked for your fucking brilliant input, cocksucker… Exactly. That's what I thought. Flying through the crowd was a familiar pegasus, and in her hooves were two wooden mugs. I recognized her signature rainbow mane and her cyan coat, and she grinned as she landed in front of me.

Handing me one of the mugs, she chuckled as she glanced at the bloody gauze pad on my forehead. “Here, heh. You look like you can use some.” Grabbing the mug, I slipped my hoof through the handle and I got a sudden sense of déjà vu. You got drunk in your dream after finding out Eclipse cheated on you. You fell asleep after the first shower, after you ate Spike’s pancakes. It didn't happen, calm down. Wow, you are actually useful for once. Now, fuck off mate. Lifting the mug to my lips, I allowed the drink to slip down into my throat, and it glided down with a burning sensation. Ah, cider. Never really was a fan, but I guess anything will do. Try not to get too drunk, huh? Yeah, yeah. Fuck off.

“What are you doing over here, anyway? The party's over there,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she waved her hoof over at the dancing crowd of ponies. I glanced at the small stage and my eyes widened at the sight. Vinyl and Thunderlane were behind a table as they played songs, headphones on both of their heads. Pinkie Pie stole the DJ’s shades and were wearing them as she danced in front of the mixing table on the stage. “Don't tell me you're a wallflower, big guy… Hey!” I didn't answer as I placed the mug down and started trotting through the horde of ponies at a brisk pace, trying to make it to my friend. Ooh boy, more problems. You couldn't just waved at her and that's it? You gotta’ go make a scene and all, some bullshit speech and everything. You, sir, bring drama everywhere you go; power to ya’.

Before I could make it to the stage, a white hoof extended and stopped me, causing me to look at the source of the obstacle. “There you are Dusk! I've been looking for you. Listen, I saw your brother leaving, you better catch up to him!” I nodded and Eclipse walked off, leaving me a few feet away from the stage where Vinyl stands. I gazed up at her, watching her as she bobbed her head to the music with her exuberant spirit. Turning my head, I glanced at the swinging doors, and then back to the white unicorn on stage. Vinyl will be here when you get back. Weren't you making an effort? Fucking… Damnit, fine! Shooting one more glance at the married couple, I pivoted around and pushed my way through the crowd, rushing to the doors. Finally leaving the dancing horde of ponies, I cursed to myself as I burst outside, the cold night air sending a shiver down my spine.

The directions to his house floated to the surface in my mind, and I automatically began trotting to his house, words and things to say already racing through my brain. The Sun was now completely down, and was replaced by the glowing Moon, illuminating the small village with a beaming light. Stars littered the black expanse of space and I even saw a shooting star fly by in the sky. Shaking my head, I remembered my task and I made a swift left, turning to walk down the lane Dawn’s house is on. I caught a glimpse of his orange tail and I galloped towards the source of it, my hooves beating furiously into the dirt road, leaving behind my hoof-marks. Skidding to a halt in front of my brother's house, I caught up to him right as he was about to close the door.

“... D-Dusk? Is that you?” He inquired slowly, cracking the door open a tidbit more to better see me. I approached his door at an agonizingly slow pace, the clip-clop sound of my hooves echoing on his stone walkway. He glanced at the rag tied around my head, and the blood-stained gauze pad pressed against my forehead, and he chuckled. “Sweeeeet Luna, you look like shit! Uh, come in! Take a seat, and I’ll, uh, grab some tea.” Accepting his offer hesitantly, I walked past him and he locked the door behind me, traipsing off into the kitchen. Twisting my head around, I took in my surroundings, coming to the realization that the decorations or scenery has changed much. Dawn always had a hard time with change, and I guess moving furniture and paintings is much too change for him. Nothing wrong with sticking with what you're used to. Perhaps that's why you are still in Moonlight XIIi, damaging yourself and killing?

Sighing, I took a seat on a beige couch that felt quite comfortable, and in front of it was a pretty decent coffee table that was reasonably polished, but obviously has seen some years. Directly straight across from the couch and coffee table was a sage green leather chair. Dawn entered the living room with a tray on his back, two steaming cups of tea balancing on it. Arriving at the table, he placed it down and then sat down on the leather chair, relaxing into it as he smiled at me. Nervously smiling back, I went to grab a teacup and then Dawn chuckled, waving his hoof at me. “Nah, that one is mine. Put some herbal leaves in there that are bitter to the tongue, but refresh the soul… Other one is normal tea with cream and sugar.” Nodding, I picked up the other one and held it in my hooves.

“So, how has, uh, things been, Dawn?” Taking the initiative, I broke the awkward silence and took a sip from the cup of tea, relishing in the delicious taste. However, it had a horrible aftertaste and didn't go down that well. The grey pegasus smiled at me as he retrieved his own teacup, daintily taking a sip before answering my question.

“Oh, things have been fine. Normal. Monotonous, if you will. Bills are payed, there's food in the fridge, and if I want a book to read, I just go down to the library. Having a library just down the road has its perks!” He laughed as I took another sip. I grinned nervously as he chuckled, wiping his mouth with a nearby napkin. His orange orbs had a unreadable glint in them, and I couldn't make out what he was feeling. It frightened me a bit.

You need to know what happened after the little ‘incident’. Fine… Fuck me. “So, uh… Where's,” Shooting a glance to the hallway leading to his bedroom, I sighed hastily. “Where's Roseluck?” I finally said, a nervous smile decorating my sweating face. The air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Dawn’s face contorted into a variety of different emotions, but ultimately decided on the oh-so familiar and widely used feeling known as anger.

Except, he went beyond anger. He was furious.

Throwing his teacup at the wall, it smashed against a painting harshly. Shards of glass clattered to the floor and brown tea spilled all over the beautiful painting of an elegant sky, full of stars and comets. Standing up, he leaned over the coffee table and placed his hooves on it, towering over me menacingly. “Where's Roseluck. Where's…? Roseluck. I don't know, Dusk, she left me after what happened that night! I never saw her again after that, gone! Just gone! And you know why?” I shook my head slowly, but deep down, I knew why. It was me. I ruined their relationship, in just a single night. Hmm, I just got déjà vu… I wonder where from?

Slipping his hoof under his wing, he threw out his hoof and in his grip was a flintlock. More specifically, my pistol. I can tell by the tally-marks on the side. Cocking it, he aimed it at me as he kicked the coffee table, splinters of wood covering the floor. “You're the reason, Dusk! It was all you. The love of my life, gone… Just. Like. That,” He punctuated each word with a tap of the pistol on my head. My eyes are widened and I was breathing heavily through my nostrils, my chest heaving up and down as I panicked internally. The table just had to go, it was getting old. Surely, you could agree with that… Right? “Y’know, after what happened, after that night… I began drinking. Naaaasty addiction. Still do. Spent as much time and bits as I could down at Berry’s… Sweet mare, that one. But, I bet you know everything about sweet mares, wouldn't you?”

“So, tell me. Who do you have in your slimy grasp now, Dusk? Did that bitch Roseluck come crawling to you, or perhaps you're just lonely… As you should be,” I remained silent until Dawn pressed the barrel against my forehead harshly, and I felt it dig deeply into the gash, drawing fresh blood. “Answer me! It's a simple fucking question! Yes! Or! No!” I shook my head and he scoffed before he threw his head back in laughter. Like the flip of a coin, he was in my face again. “Bullshit! I know you, I've known you all my life! So tell me the truth before I blow your fucking brains out all across this fucking couch!” He shouted in my face as my mind raced. Tell him. He has a fucking gun to your head, tell the damn stallion. Just focus on him and then think on an action plan. Remember; he is your brother, not just another target. Killing him is a last resort, even if he is fine with killing you.

As blood started to trickle down my face, staining my once pristine snow-white fur a dark crimson, I nodded slowly. “Solar Eclipse… I've known her four years.” I answered quietly, breathing shakily as my heart pounded in my chest like a beating drum. Dawn's lips curved into a sadistic grin as he chuckled, raising his eyebrows as he removed the pistol from my head, leaning back as he nodded his head up and down in a steady pattern, slowly; like a snail racing. Wait for it… Wait for an opening to tackle him, and then retrieve the pistol, and subdue him. If that doesn't work, knock him unconscious and tie him up with whatever you can find. It's the best you got right now, but regardless, this entire situation is a complete shit-show. Yeah. I know. I wish this was a dream… Sorry boss, this is real.

“I've been waiting a veeerrry long time for this. Waiting. Planning. Plotting. Waiting for the peeerrrffffeect time to fucking kill you,” He yelled at me as he turned away from me, twisting his head to gaze into my eyes. Orange to blue. “You ruined my life, Dusk. I found love, and I was ready to start my life… But I guess I am taking sibling rivalry to a whole new level, huh?” He chuckled as he looked down at the pistol, turning back to face me. Directly in front of me was a barrel, and Dawn’s hoof was on the trigger. “‘Bye, brother. I can't exactly say it's been that great. Honestly, it's been complete shit… Maybe you’ll be allowed to see Dad, who knows? Heh, like you deserve see him again.” Now! Fuck!

Lunging forward, I extended my hooves as I propelled myself off of the couch and wrapped my hoof around Dawn’s midsection, successfully dodging underneath of the pistol’s shot. The grey pegasus grunted as we landed on the leather chair, tipping it over and sending us tumbling to the floor. Dawn grunted as he fell to the floor and the pistol clattered to the floor, along with myself. I smacked the pistol away with my hind leg as Dawn stood up, his hoof plummeting into my stomach. I ignored the overwhelming sickness welling up in my abdomen as I swung my hind leg into his side, knocking him off of me. Hopping onto my hooves, I rushed the stallion and extended my right hoof, punching him in the muzzle. He desperately tried to lay a hit on me, but I weaved around him and delivered consecutive strikes on him.

Dawn screamed as he grabbed me by the shoulders, ramming me into the wall and then throwing me to the ground. I landed harshly, and it knocked the air out of my lungs. Blood gushed from the gash on my forehead now, soaking the gauze pad and tied rag, and my face was completely covered in the crimson shade. Strands of hair were damp with a combination of blood and sweat, and I breathed heavily. Before I could stand up, Dawn was on me and he constricted his hooves around my throat, squeezing with all of his strength. Breathing soon became difficult and despite all of my training and inner strength, I couldn't bring myself to hurt him. He is my baby brother. I can't see him hurt.

Darkness seeped into the corners of my vision and I wheezed as I struggled to get air into my lungs. The rising in my chest slowed down and the beating of my heart is skidding to a halt. I gazed into the orange eyes of my brother and saw nothing but hate, raw hate. No matter how hard I searched or no matter how long I gazed into those two orange orbs, I couldn't find any semblance to the happy and lively colt I grew up with. All I saw was a crestfallen stallion driven by the loss of his wife and his hatred for his brother. I threw my hooves out at my sides and the tip of my fetlock brushed up against the pistol. He’s gone. That's not Dawn Shine, anymore. You need to do it. You need to kill him. To live. To be there for Eclipse and complete the mission, find the princess. There's no other way.

Bullshit! There has to be another way, another way to save myself and not do this! Can't you understand?! H-He’s my baby brother, my only brother! My father is already gone, and he’s one of the few family members I have left! That would just leave me and my mother, and my mother would never forgive me! No, I-I-I can't do this! Please! There has to be another way. There isn't. He’s gone over the edge, and there is no saving him. He already tried to kill you that night all those years ago, he just didn't have the advantage or the tools. He does now and he is going to kill. I’m sorry. Truly. But there is no other way. You have to do it… Grab the pistol. Grab the pistol and do it. It's a painless death and you will live… Your brother is lost. Do it.

Make… It… Stop.

Fumbling to slip my hoof into the pistol’s handle, I gasped and shuddered as blackness creeped towards the center of my vision, reminding me of my impending doom. Tears ran freely down my blood-stained cheeks, stinging my eyes and I wanted to sob so bad. Shakily placing my pistol in the handle, it wrapped around my fetlock and the tip of it brushed against the trigger. Using up the remainder of my strength, I spread my right wing to cock the pistol, pulling it back until it clicked loudly. Sensing my oxygen running out in a manner of seconds, I brought my pistol up to my brother's head and pulled the trigger, the gunshot echoing in my ear as the choking ceased and I could breathe again. Breathing heavily to remove myself from the edge of death, an endless stream of tears cascading down my face as Dawn’s body fell limp atop me.

I crawled out from underneath of his body and my hooves shaked horribly, causing me to fling the flintlock out of my grasp. My chest bounced up and down as I started sobbing uncontrollably, no sound coming from my throat. Wrapping my hooves around his midsection, I pulled Dawn’s corpse close to my chest and clutched him tight as I rocked myself back and forth, tears dripping onto his lifeless, bloody face. His eyes, that once held so much life and innocence, stared directly at me, not a single glint in neither of his orange orbs. Blood leaked from the bullet hole onto my hind leg as I sat there silently, not able to scream or sob, or talk or whisper. With my dead brother in my hooves, I laid there for what seemed like hours.

Suddenly, the door busted open and flew inwards, off of its hinges and clattered to the floor, splinters and shards of wood joining it on the disheveled floor. The sound didn't register and I ignored it as my hearing became a dull white noise, no sound being heard. All I could taste was the regret of my actions and the desire to join my brother in the grave I've dug for him. A faint smell of lavender traveled up my nostrils and I recognized it; Eclipse. Hooves touched upon my sinner body and tried desperately to awake me from this nightmare; but to no prevail. I lie awake, fully aware of what is occurring, but unable to act or call out to assist me in my path to enlightenment and salvation. I am a murderer, a liar, and I yearn for the past, because that is where I belong.

“Silence. You’ve lost me.”

End Of Act I: Descent

Author's Note

And with that, Act I is over.

I hope you enjoyed, but know this.

It's far from over, not yet.